This is what happens when the Indians game is postponed. You get stories on minor league mascots and rebranding.

There’s been a lot of discussion over the Akron Aeros’ rebranding as the Akron Rubber Ducks. I’ve heard some folks call the new logo “frightening.”

Tire tread head

Others are just agitated that now all of their Akron Aeros gear is pretty much outdated and obsolete.

If you’re not a fan of the actual logo duck (perhaps you think he looks a little too mean and angry) you now have an alternative.

Meet hip, cool, just-named-duck-mascot Webster:

I know he’s hip because of the backwards hat and the cool shades.

Does anyone happen to be a fan of The Simpsons? Particularly the Simpsons from 10+ years ago? Because when I saw this duck, I could only think of one notable character from the Simpsons:

Poochie the Dog

There are a few differences between the two. First, Webster is lacking a surf board…he needs one so he can catch waves like a cool dude. (Speaking of cool dudes, I’m not even kidding about this – my husband changed his name in his e-mail account so everything you get from him comes from “Cool Dude.”) Back to my new pal Webster…Webster is also “Donald Ducking it” by going without pants, while Poochie is fully clothed. Akron duck also lacks Poochie’s one accessory – the fanny pack; the accessory of the cool and hip. Otherwise, there are a lot of general similarities – the cool-as-heck demeanor, the backwards hat and shades, the exposed thumb. Is it a thumbs up? Is it a surfer-dude thumb? Does it even matter? Both are gestures of the cool.

Webster supposedly will be unveiled at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday before Akron’s home opener against the Bowie Bay Sox. I should add that Webster was recently named in a contest with the fans. You, the Akron fan/viewer, got to give him the cool name he deserved…no…required. I guess Orbit hasn’t been kicked to the curb yet, because he’s supposed to be hanging with his pal Webster on Thursday, along with “Homer the pigeon.” I guess Homer is that giant inflatable purple thing. I never knew he was a pigeon until I read the article about Webster’s unveiling. I also didn’t know he had a name. Whoever told me that you learn something new every day wasn’t lying. Also, how many mascots does a team really need? At this rate, there will be a 3:1 fan to mascot ratio at Canal Park.

I’m not sure if the rebranding and renaming of the Aeros is unscrupulous or misguided. Probably some combination of the two. The name turns a point of Akron pride into an embarrassment and the logo is better suited for a high school hockey team.

The only way I’m able to endure any news pertaining to the Indians AA-affiliate is by pretending the new name and logo is an elaborate joke ownership is playing on the league and they’re just seeing how long they can stretch it out for. As for Webster, I suppose the only real judge should be children.

Adam Hintz

I should have a bit more to say about the Rubber Ducks next week…

Jason Jackson

I have been attending games in Akron since I moved back up north in 2008. I can say without question that the new name, logo, uniforms, everything, is a total joke. I know the minors are supposed to be fun, but the name change was ridiculous. I didn’t know of a single person that had an issue with the Aeros name to begin with. And even if you as an owner of the team had such an issue with the name, you would be best to let the fans decide if a change was needed and then let them vote on it. I can assure you that I won’t be purchasing any Ducks gear ever. The entire thing is embarrassing.

Stephanie Liscio

I could be remembering this incorrectly, but didn’t they put the name up to a fan vote a couple of years ago and people chose to keep Aeros? I could be hallucinating again though…it happens with relative frequency.

Sean Porter

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Rubber Ducks did win the fan vote last year (or when they did it last), but the Aeros decided to not change it to that then.

I actually really like the Ducks logo, but the name is pretty laughable, and the duck mascot, well, meth is a helluva drug… haha

Jason Jackson

Stephanie, you are correct. The last time there was any kind of vote was 2009 or so. I think the Beacon-Journal did it. Something like 65-70% of the fans wanted to keep it. And Sean, there was no vote last year. The fans had zero input. I was at Canal Park the last 3 days and I couldn’t find a single fan that liked the change. I even asked one of the players (who I will not name) what he thought, and his response was a chuckle and then, “I am just happy to be playing professional baseball.”

Sean Porter

Looks like you are 100% on the money Mr. Jackson… There was a vote in 2009, and while Rubber Ducks was a popular choice, Aeros was chosen overwhelmingly (67%) by the fans. For some reason I thought I read something when the name-change was announced that RDs actually won that contest… Like I said before, love the logo, but the name and mascot – oof.